6 Of The Best Air Fryers 2018

(This post was originally published on Jan 30, 2018 and updated on August 5, 2018)

Most people like fried food, but not the the health issues often associated with it. In general, fried food is dripping in grease, which, as you might assume, can lead to all kinds of health problems if consumed without moderation. That, however, is where air fryers come in — as a way to “fry” food without drenching them in oil.

When deciding whether or not to buy an air fryer, it’s important to ask yourself why you want one. Most foodies will tell you that air fryers can’t really replicate the taste or texture of typically fried food -- but they can still deliver a nice, crisp exterior and moist interior without the need for all that oil. How? They basically circulate hot air all around the food inside of them, so they’re able to cook food at a fraction of the time that a typical oven could.

If you have decided you want an air fryer, there are a few options to consider. That, however, is why we’re here -- we’ve done the research so that you don’t have to.

There are plenty of air fryers out there, but there are also plenty of reasons why the Philips HD9641/96 is the best one. For starters, most users argue that the device is able to cook food nice and evenly, which is pretty important. Not only that, but the interface of the Philips HD9641/96 is relatively easy to use thanks largely to its so-called “QuickControl” dial, and features a relatively small footprint compared to many of the other air fryers out there.

The vast majority of users love the Philips HD9641/96 too. The device is currently sitting in with an average of 4.4/5 stars on Amazon, which is no small feat.

SimpleTaste is building some pretty stellar air fryers of its own, and the SimpleTaste 1400W Multi-Function Air Fryer could be one of its best. The device boasts a hefty 8 preset programs, including features for fries, chicken, shrimp, meat, and more.

Thankfully, all those functions are pretty easy to use -- the SimpleTaste 1400W Multi-Function Air Fryer features dedicated buttons for each mode on the front, along with a display to tell you exactly what temperature the air fryer’s at, in case you want a little more manual control. Speaking of temperature, the fryer can circulate air at between 170 and 400 degrees.

T-fal may not be as well-known as the likes of Philips or Black and Decker, but the ActiFry has a lot to offer -- namely the fact that it solves the issue of flipping over your food with a built-in paddle that slowly rotates the food while it cooks. That can be pretty hand -- it means you can set your air fryer and then forget about the food until it’s literally ready to eat.

On top of the flipping features, the T-fal ActiFry is also relatively easy to use and well-designed. It offers an on/off button, and a timer, which maxes out at 99 minutes. The simplicity is a double-edged sword for some -- there’s no temperature dial here. Instead the fryer heats to 338 degrees, so you’ll modify how your food is cooked more based on how long you cook it rather than the temperature you cook it at.

Looking for an air fryer that’s a little more versatile than your standard air fryer? Cuisinart’s TOA-60 is an air fryer, to be sure, but it’s also a toaster oven, and a convection over, all rolled into one.

Because it offers so much, the device is quite a bit larger than other air fryers. That may not be a bad thing considering it can replace more than one device on your counter. The TOA-60 boasts a 0.6 cubic foot interior, an adjustable thermostat, 60-minute timer, and the necessary accessories to make use of all its functions. Most users love it too -- it currently has a 4.5-star average on Amazon, across 225 reviews.

Next up is the Power Air Fryer XL, which boasts a 3.4 quart basket with a non-stick coating -- so your food should be easy to remove after cooking. This fryer features 7 preset programs, including a roast preset, bake preset, steam preset, and more. On top of that, the fryer heats up to 400 degrees, which should be perfect for the vast majority of uses.

Another nice thing about this air fryer is that it comes with a recipe book -- so if you’re not quite sure exactly what to cook in your air fryer, Power Air has you covered. Last but not least is the fact that all the accessories are dishwasher-safe -- so you won’t have to worry about damaging them during cleaning.

Last but not least is the Avalon Bay Air Fryer, which, at least according to user reviews, also has a lot to offer. The 4.3-star-average device boasts a relatively easy-to-use interface, a temperature setting for up to 400 degrees, and a timer of up to 60 minutes. That makes it a pretty handy device.

While plenty of air fryers on this list feature a few recipes, the Avalon Bay Air Fryer has a full 52-page cookbook -- so if you’re new to using an air fryer, you’ll get used to it pretty quick. Not only that, but if you buy this air fryer and find that you don’t like it, Avalon lists on its Amazon page that it offers a 90-day return policy.

Born and raised in Canberra, Australia, I lived in France and Minnesota before eventually landing in sunny California. I’ve written for a range of online publications, including Digital Trends, Business Insider, and TechRadar, and while my expertise lies firmly in tech, I’m ...